NRL: Former Kiwi craves favouritism from new fans

Matt Utai a four-test Kiwi made 125 metres to be on a par with the Wests Tigers other wing Lote Tuqiri. Photo / Getty Images

Matt Utai heard the standing ovation for the cult hero he has replaced at the Wests Tigers while he sat in the dressing rooms at Leichhardt Oval last night.

The reaction fellow former Kiwis wing Taniela Tuiaki received at halftime against the New Zealand Warriors underscored the 28-year-old try scoring sensation's popularity and the regret felt at his premature retirement.

In his prime two seasons ago Tuiaki brushed aside defenders with contemptuous ease, but there was no beating the serious ankle injury that finally ended a 42-try first grade career last month.

Tuiaki played the last of his 78 matches for the Wests Tigers in round 24 of the 2009 regular season and despite three operations he could never regain the stability required to revive his career.

While Tuiaki played a waiting game, Utai was waiting in the wings and, after signing an incentive-based 12-month contract in February, the former Bulldogs favourite is two games into his resurrection as a top grade footballer.

Utai, a premiership winner with the Bulldogs in 2004, had been in limbo after being released by the club at the end of the 2009 season. He initially planned a move to the England Super League but then that failed to eventuate he played in Sydney's lower grades with the Auburn Warriors last year.

Having made 127 appearances for the Bulldogs Utai said the re-step up to first grade was not overly taxing although he obviously had some ground to make up with the Leichhardt faithful given their historical dislike of the mob from Belmore - and their respect for Tuiaki.

"I've got a lot of work to do to win this crowd over," he admitted after the Wests Tigers finished strongly to beat the Warriors 20-12.

And although he benefited from Tuiaki's demise Utai felt for the 28-year-old's predicament: "I've got a lot of respect for Taniela, it must be hard for him."

The difficulty Utai will have winning over the fans was apparent last night; he was barely acknowledged when the teams were introduced on the video screen and drew some groans when he dropped a ball cold in the second half.

Krisnan Inu also scored down Utai's flank when he failed to defuse a grubber kick but the four-test Kiwi still made 125 metres to be on a par with the Wests Tigers other wing Lote Tuqiri.

"I think I've done a pretty good job (last night) and hopefully I can do that for the rest of the year," said Utai, who should have an extended run due to Beau Ryan's groin injury.

Utai reiterated how grateful he was for the faith shown in him by Wests Tigers head coach Tim Sheens and strength and conditioning coach Steve Folkes, a mentor back at the Bulldogs.

"It's pretty good to hook up with Sheensy and Folksey. They've given me a lifeline and I'm making the most if it."

Utai never doubted he was capable of cracking the NRL again after Bulldogs head coach Kevin Moore dropped him to reserve grade in favour of Kiwis wing Bryson Goodwin two years ago.

"I never thought I was a spent force," he said.

"There's always a time when you go through a rough patch, then you pick yourself up and go again."

Moore had concerns about 1.68-metre Utai's ability to defuse bombs but that supposed deficiency was not apparent against the Warriors - thanks to a defensive strategy devised by Sheens.

Rather than leave Utai exposed on the wing when a cross field bomb is likely his centre partner Blake Ayshford, who is 22cm taller, heads for the corner flag.

"We've worked on a rhythm, me and Aysh and it's working well," Utai said.

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